Clarifying his remarks made in his native Kurnool district, the minor irrigation minister explained how he was upset when a group of farmers threatened to consume pesticide when their urgent agriculture needs are not met.
"I was in that mood that day. I lost my temper. We are spending so much money for agriculture and irrigation. Still, if we are not able to help the farmers, then naturally I will be in a different mood," he told PTI.
The IAS Officers' Association had taken strong exception to Venkatesh's reported remarks that non-performing bureaucrats should be killed.
"Loose talk of mob justice by the honourable minister lowers the dignity of his own office, demoralizes the bureaucracy and brings down the image of the government," the association had said in a statement last Saturday.
Venkatesh observed that bureaucrats and politicians are like two eyes in the system and both should be made to perform their duties for the benefit of common people.
"The bureaucrats and politicians both have a very important role to play. The non-performing persons are definitely not doing justice. The question of corruption comes later. They (officials) need not go deep into it. We can leave it at that. They should take the spirit of what I said. Work should be done (for the people)," he added.
